The deer were not yet rutting which made the hunt more difficult. Roberto moved to several different ranches to show us more deer. We saw numerous bucks but not many of the Grande ones we sought, however I would highly recommend Roberto and his outfit. He definitely went the extra mile to put us on deer.

SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor)

Quality
of Outfit:

Excellent

Guide/PH
Ability:

Excellent

Condition
of Camp:

Good

Condition
of Equipment:

Good

Quality
of Food:

Excellent

Trophy
Care:

Excellent

Name
of Airline:

US Air and Delta

Airline
Service:

Good

Airline
Comments:

No problems whatsoever with guns, etc.

COSTS

Hunting
Fees:

Amount:

$8000

Trophy Fees:

Amount:

$0

Permits/Licenses:

Amount:

$800

Commercial
Airfares:

Amount:

$0

Charter Airfares:

Amount:

$0

Other Costs:

Amount:

$0

Total:

$0

SUMMARY
REMARKS

Problems
of Hunt:

A little problem with the language barrier, which added to the adventure.

Highlights
of Hunt:

Seeing several different ranches and interacting with the ranchers. The smoothness of paperwork, gun permits, etc, going in and out of Mexico. The cook Jose was great and even spoke English, he did a great job of serving a large variety of meals.

Equipment
Recommendations:

Good optics, brush pants and leather gloves for the cactus. It is also colder in the mornings than one might expect so some warm clothes that you have layered so you can peel down as the days warm up.

Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend?

Yes

Why?

Because of the very professional way that they conduct their hunts, and the efficient way they get you in and out of Mexico.

Small-bodied buck, I only saw one deer in six days. I did see one puma. Suspect ranches are hunted too heavily. There are more hunters than booking agent realizes. Poor condition of hunt and logistics.

SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor)

Quality
of Outfit:

Fair

Guide/PH
Ability:

Fair

Condition
of Camp:

Good

Condition
of Equipment:

Poor

Quality
of Food:

Fair

Trophy
Care:

Fair

Name
of Airline:

Delta, Aerolitoreal, Aero California.

Airline
Service:

Good

Airline
Comments:

COSTS

Hunting
Fees:

Amount:

$5500

Trophy Fees:

Amount:

$0

Permits/Licenses:

Amount:

$500

Commercial
Airfares:

Amount:

$500

Charter Airfares:

Amount:

$0

Other Costs:

Tip for a guide who cared.

Amount:

$150

Total:

$0

SUMMARY
REMARKS

Problems
of Hunt:

There was poor equipment, scarce game. I suspect excessive hunting pressure. It was hot and dusty.

I am in receipt of your letter dated April 14, 2000 and the copy of the report as filed by Dr. John Tyson on his hunt with Desert Trophy Outfitters. According to Dr. Tyson's report, the availability of game animals, in specific desert mule deer, was scarce. He is correct. Not only are the desert mule deer scarce but so is every thing else in the harsh climate of the Sonora Desert.

Dr. Tyson and I discussed this point on several occasions prior to his booking this trip. I told the Dr. that he would see very few deer during his trip and fewer bucks. Dr. Tyson was well aware that he might see very few deer, but there was a good chance he might take an exceptional buck. He was aware that our clients had been averaging a little better than 50 percent on desert mule deer bucks over the last couple of seasons, many of exceptional size.

The buck that Dr. Tyson took is not a record book deer by any means, but a buck with a spread of a little more than twenty five inches with tall tines and good mass is not a trophy to be ashamed of. The fact that Diana did not favor him with a thirty plus inch monster mule is the luck of the hunt and not the fault of the outfitter.

Dr. Tyson suggests that there may be more hunters hunting this ranch than we are aware of. I have again been reassured by Desert Trophy Outfitters that only six hunters per week are allowed to hunt this area and only during January, which is the rut. This means only twenty four hunters hunt these ranches and Blair Worldwide Hunting books a vast majority of them.

As for poor coordination and logistics on this hunt, I have not encountered this on either of my personal hunts with this outfitter. While I did not hunt with Desert Trophy Outfitters this past season when Dr. Tyson was there, I have hunted with them in January 1999 and January 1998 and no, Diana did not smile on me on either of these hunts. I passed on some very nice bucks, similar to the one taken by Dr. Tyson in hopes of a monster like some of my hunting companions took.

As a Master Measurer for SCI I have scored several bucks while in camp with Desert Trophy Outfitters. The largest of which scored 215 B&C. Obviously this buck was an exceptional animal, but the bucks I have scored here, on average, I would say have scored about 185 B&C.

As for Desert Trophy Outfitters' overall performance, I can only say that we do a good deal of repeat booking for them. In fact we have a client that has hunted there three times and has booked two thirds of the hunts for the 2001 season for him and his friends.

Should you require further information about this hunt please contact me.

Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Desert Trophy Outfitters Hunts

Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.

Hunted first ranch for three and a half days with deer sighted each day from either the high seat or spotted by glassing from elevated points. Game spotted included game at distances which ranged out to 1 1/2 to 2 miles. As guides could not communicate in English, nor were they experienced enough to communicate stalks via signaling, there was no opportunity to stalk many of the deer spotted. Game spotted on second ranch in two days were only low to average in numbers. Guides focused hunting via high seats, as they did not want to make the effort to spot and stalk hunt. Game was noted as being experienced to vehicle traffic as animals moved into cover and away from vehicle traffic. (Observed while glassing)

SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor)

Quality
of Outfit:

Poor

Guide/PH
Ability:

Fair

Condition
of Camp:

Poor

Condition
of Equipment:

Poor

Quality
of Food:

Poor

Trophy
Care:

Fair

Name
of Airline:

Delta Airlines.

Airline
Service:

Good

Airline
Comments:

As I was driven to the first ranch via R. Burralo from Tuscan, the border office was closed and I was not issued a visa for my visit (thus I was illegally traveling in the country). Outfitter failed to inform me of this matter, forcing the Delta personnel to handle the matter with the immigration officer at the Hermosillo Airport.

COSTS

Hunting
Fees:

This cost proved to be 2,500 USD higher than the 2 other hunters in camp.

Amount:

$7500

Trophy Fees:

None. 3,500 USD for additional deer, if taken

Amount:

$0

Permits/Licenses:

Deer and rifle permit

Amount:

$525

Commercial
Airfares:

USD

Amount:

$775

Charter Airfares:

Amount:

$0

Other Costs:

Amount:

$0

Total:

$0

SUMMARY
REMARKS

Problems
of Hunt:

In summary, the overall professionalism of the outfitter and his head guide (Roberto Ciscomani) was poor to unacceptable on important details and during specific instances. Even to the point of putting me at legal risk in a foreign country. First Ranch - camp was unprepared for hunters, minimal preparation before arrival. Generator was in poor condition and not operative the first night. Guide's personal vehicles were used for the hunt and frequently broke down. Only 'Head Guide' Roberto, spoke English, as Mr. Burralo returned to Tuscan. However, head guide failed to advise me of the move to the second camp, and of the quality of a deer spotted during the hunt (on this instance, he only spoke in Spanish to the guide with me) until the deer departed as it was chased off with the vehicle!!) Head guide did not accompany me during a 80 km transfer to second ranch (unannounced). (Recall - no visa arranged at border, I do not speak Spanish, and it is not recommended to be in Mexico with a firearm, permitted or not, no visa and with no way to address the local police, the Army, or the Federals in the event of a road check). Head guide drove recklessly and dangerously for my return trip to Hermosillo and did not bother to advise me of my pending visa problem with immigration. We left late from the ranch because of his own actions - late awakening, dressing, and eating breakfast. I was prepared in good order and had to keep reminding him of my flight time. We arrived appoximately 35 minutes before my departure time. Head guide disagreed with me, and the contract, that after I harvested my mule deer, that I could continue hunting for a second animal. He further disputed the terms of my contract (even after I showed him a copy), in regard to the number of days and trophy fee basis to hunt a second deer - mule deer or Coues. Head guide (Roberto) hunted deer for himself rather than guide me as a client (recall that he was the only English speaking guide in camp). Other issues were noted in a letter sent to both the outfitter and booking agent. No response from either.

Highlights
of Hunt:

Hunting in the beautiful Sonora desert. Seeing my first Coues deer and a huge bobcat. Also, the successful second stalk for my desert mule deer.

Equipment
Recommendations:

Good optics - binoculars and spotting scope, clothing for both cool to cold days. Even rain gear was needed for one day's hunt.

Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend?

No

Why?

But only with this outfitter/guide. Outfitter never responded to my concerns expressed for this hunt, despite his assurances that he would look into the matter with his head guide. I also understand from the two other clients that I was charged $2,500 USD more for the same hunt. Shoshone Wilderness Adventures also never responded to my documents issues. It seems that once they have the funds, their commitment to the client is over. There was no reason for a hunt costing this amount of money to be run so unprofessionally. They also offer desert sheep hunts (+40,000 USD) which I had discussed with Ramon before hunting mule deer. I would be very careful before sending Desert Trophy Outfitters (also booked via Four Star Adventures?) any money. I have been on over twenty outfitted hunts, and this was the worst operation I have ever experienced. One of only three outfits I would not recommend to a fellow hunter.